Mankato, Minn. --- The fifth-ranked Minnesota State men's basketball begins a two-game home stand as it hosts Bemidji State Friday (8 p.m.) and Minnesota, Crookston Saturday (6 p.m.).

What Just Happened: Minnesota State completed a 2-0 road trip this past weekend as it defeated the University of Mary 81-73 and Minot State 83-72 to improve to 18-2, with a 14-2 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

At U-Mary, the Mavericks had four players drop in at least 11 points in the contest with senior Jarvis Williams leading the way with 21. Williams added eight rebounds as well.

Junior Jimmy Whitehead provided a spark off the bench as he tallied 12 points, all of which came in the second half. Sophomores Zach Monaghan and Assem Marei added 14 and 11 points, respectively, while junior Gage Wooten posted a career-high 12 rebounds.

At Minot State it was Williams that led the way again on offense as he posted a game-high 25 points to go along with seven rebounds. He finished the night shooting 12-of-16 (.750) from the field.

Marei notched his fifth double double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Wooten added 13 points. Monaghan passed out a game-high eight assists.

Williams led the way averaging 23 points per game this past weekend, to go along with 7.5 rebounds per contest. Marei averaged 13 points and a team-high 9.5 rebounds per game, while Wooten averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per match up.

Minnesota State History: The 2012-13 season marks the 91st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,203-843 (.587) in 2,046 games since the program’s inception in the 1920-21 season. MSU capped its 33rd and final season as a member of the NCC in 2008 and owned a 283-267 (.515) record in 550 league games played. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 68-30 (.693) record to go with a pair of regular-season championships.

The Mavericks have made seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament, going 12-9 (.571) in those trips.

A Little About Bemidji State: The Bemidji State Beavers enter the weekend the owners of an 11-9 record and a 9-7 NSIC record. BSU's 9-7 league record puts it in a tie for seventh place in the overall standings and a tie for third place in the Northern Division.

BSU has won three of its last four games, including a pair of wins against Southwest Minnesota State (72-57) and Sioux Falls (72-69) this past weekend.

The Beavers have four players averaging at least 10 points per game, including Dermaine Crockrell, who is leading the team with an average of 13.6 points per game. Mason Walters is BSU's leading rebounder, averaging 7.2 boards per contest.

Bemidji State is coached by Mike Boschee, who is in his first season at the helm of the BSU men's basketball program.

Series History: Minnesota State is 66-33 all-time against Bemidji State, including a 0-2 record last season. The Mavericks are 5-2 against the Beavers under MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler.

Junior Connor O'Brien is averaging 15 points and 8.8 rebounds in four games against BSU, while sophomore Zach Romashko is averaging 14.5 points in two games against Bemidji State.

A Little About Minnesota, Crookston: The Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles own a 3-17 overall record and are 0-16 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. UMC is currently in last place in the NSIC standings and in the Northern Division.

Minnesota, Crookston is currently on a 17 game losing streak, including a pair of losses to Sioux Falls (89-59) and Southwest Minnesota State (63-54) this past weekend.

Brandon Burns leads the Golden Eagles in scoring with an average of 11.3 points per game. James Sparkman leads the team in rebounds with an average of 5.2 rebounds per contest.

UMC is coached by Jeff Oseth who is in his 11th season at the helm of the men's basketball program.

Series History: The Mavericks are 15-0 all-time against the Golden Eagles, including a 74-65 win last season. Under head coach Matt Margenthaler, the Mavericks are 11-0 against the Golden Eagles.

In two games against UMC, junior Jimmy Whitehead has averaged 10 points per game, while junior Connor O'Brien and sophomore Zach Romashko have averaged eight points per game.

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